Energy Industry Environmental Services
LNG Terminals
Liquefied natural gas is an active international market. Advances in cryogenics, shipbuilding, and materials handling have made shipment of natural gas via ocean vessels an attractive supply option in the United States. Energy firms and gas transmission companies are working on permits for LNG plants on the East, Gulf, and West coasts of the U.S., with several more terminals in the planning stages.
Our staff has assisted clients in preparing permit applications for offshore and onshore LNG terminals. This experience includes development of alternatives to minimize potential impacts and issues of concern. With most of our offices located along the coasts, we have direct experience assessing impacts in the coastal and marine areas being considered for development. ENTRIX has established strong working relationships with the EPA, NOAA Fisheries, Minerals Management, and the U.S. Coast Guard (the lead federal agency for deepwater ports).
Services:
- LNG safety and public education
- Siting and permitting of new and renovated facilities
- NEPA and state NEPA-equivalents
- Coordination with engineering and construction requirements USCG, MMS, and FERC jurisdictional issues
Pipelines
Safe transport is crucial for natural gas, crude oil, and petroleum products. In today’s regulatory environment, it is equally important to develop pipeline projects that are environmentally sound.
ENTRIX has assisted pipeline companies and the FERC in siting and permitting new and loop pipeline projects. One of our primary goals is to identify critical environmental concerns and assist in developing designs that avoid contentious issues that can result in long delays in approval.
Services:
- Pipeline integrity management
- Federal and state project applications
- NEPA and state NEPA-equivalents
- Applicant’s environmental reports
- Compressor station siting, air quality/noise permits
- SPCC, SWPPP, and NPDES permits
- DOT high consequence areas/OPA 90 response plans
Power Generation
Restructuring, creation of a standard market design, low demand forecasts, and economic concerns are just some of the new obstacles faced by developers. Timely issuance of environmental permits is one of the most familiar obstacles to developing profitable projects.Whether the project is fueled by coal, natural gas, or less traditional means, a host of environmental issues and state permitting requirements must be successfully negotiated.
Our success assisting clients in obtaining environmental permits for power generation projects is based on a sound understanding of engineering and operational require-ments. We have used that experience in combination with our local and regional understanding of environmental issues to cost-effectively assist our clients in meeting their scheduled in-service dates.
Services:
- Air quality modeling and engineering process review
- License and permit applications
- NEPA and state NEPA-equivalents
- Community education and support
- Compliance support services
Electric Power Transmission
Major regulatory changes are on the horizon for the electrical transmission industry. At the same time, the delivery system in many parts of the country is now in need of upgrades.
Siting and permitting electrical transmission facilities is a complex and difficult task, often requiring permits or approvals from a wide variety of regulatory entities. In addition to utility commissions and federal and state agencies, future permitting may also involve approvals from Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and the FERC.
Our staff has prepared defensible environmental assessments for permit applications, successfully negotiated with regulators, and assisted our clients in demonstrating project need. Our public involvement specialists have the experience to assist in addressing public concerns.
Services:
- Siting and permitting in urban and cross-country settings
- NEPA and state NEPA-equivalents
- Safety and health concerns regarding electric and magnetic fields
- Coordination of regulatory requirements among multiple jurisdictions
Due Diligence
Recent changes in the power industry have spurred a high level of activity in acquisitions and divestitures. ENTRIX has provided due diligence services for buyers and sellers of generation and transmission assets throughout the U.S. These assets have included power generation facilities, natural gas pipelines, and liquid pipelines.
In addition to assisting energy industry clients with these transactions, we have worked with the manufacturers, real estate companies, law firms, banks, and investment firms to cost-effectively minimize the risks of transferring assets.
We have conducted due diligence projects for a wide range of properties and have successfully integrated our services with the strategic and financial goals of our clients.
Services:
- Evaluation of retained liabilities
- Risk and cost evaluation
- Identification of permits and obligations
- Risk mitigation
- Comprehensive environmental documentation
- Strategic planning
FERC 3rd Party EISs and Pre-Filing Process
FERC uses 3rd-party contractors to conduct NEPA compliance activities for natural gas pipelines and LNG facilities. During our long-term relationship with FERC, we have assisted them in completing the work required for NEPA compliance associated with certificate applications, including preparation of EISs.
FERC now encourages applicants to use the pre-filing process to ensure that coordination with stakeholders takes place early in the development of a project. We worked with FERC to pioneer EIS preparation during the pre-filing process for the Greenbrier Pipeline Project, with the Final EIS issued just eight months after the application was filed with FERC.
Services:
- FERC 3rd-Party EISs
- Pre-filing coordination
- Stakeholder involvement
- Mitigation and route modifications to reduce opposition and environmental impacts
- Environmental surveys
- Hydroelectric power license applications